One of the best characteristics of a brace for an acoustic guitar top is a high stiffness-to-weight ratio. The less mass the top and braces have, the easier it is for the string’s energy to set it in motion and create sound. At the same time, the top and braces need to be […]

Instruments, Luthierie/Guitar Building, Acoustic Bass Guitars | 4 Comments »

This afternoon I had a chance to stop by the open exhibition at the 2006 Guild of American Luthiers Convention in Tacoma. There was lots of wood and inlay for sale and lots of great instruments on display.
The highlight for me was getting a chance to chat with David Hurd of Kawika Ukuleles. […]

Luthierie/Guitar Building | 1 Comment »

Over the years of guitar building I’ve amassed quite a collection of composite materials. Some are from old projects, some are from projects yet to come.
Here’s a small sampling of what’s in my shop right now (from left to right, top to bottom in the picture above):

Woven carbon fiber (CF) flex panel - This […]

Luthierie/Guitar Building | 1 Comment »

Ok - here’s the backstory: Brian Ritchie and the Violent Femmes are the reason started playing bass, and later, got into guitar-making. When I heard the sound of Brian’s Earthwood Acoustic Bass Guitar (ABG) back in college I knew right away that that was the sound I wanted to make. I got […]

About Me, Luthierie/Guitar Building | No Comments »

Here’s my workbench, newly cleaned off and organized in preparation for the upcoming run of acoustic basses. Next to the bass is one of the flared port tubes that will be the soundhole of the next bass, and on top is a sample of the high-pressure laminate I’ve picked out.

Instruments, About Me, Luthierie/Guitar Building, Acoustic Bass Guitars, Workshop | No Comments »